Gerald Howarth: Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I agree entirely with my hon. Friend the Member for The Cotswolds (Geoffrey Clifton-Brown). I was taken by surprise by your statement, which had the appearance—I hope that you will not misunderstand me—of an Executive order. I was slightly surprised by that, for I had discussed the matter with the Clerk, who had done me the enormous courtesy of asking my view. I had declared informally that I thought that it was sensible to continue, because this is the High Court of Parliament, and I do think that the Clerks, dressed as they are, add to the dignity of the House. Some of us are not always capable of enhancing that, but the Clerks do so.
I have just read the letter from the Clerk of the House to the Chair of the Select Committee on Procedure, in which he writes:
“Wigs have been worn by the Clerks at the Table for several centuries”.
So why change? The Clerk of the House states that some people take the view
“that the image they convey to those watching proceedings live or on television is of quaintness and of a chilling and antique formality”.
No constituent in Aldershot has ever expressed that view to me, and I think it would be appropriate, at some point, that we should discuss this rather than having an Executive order.

That the draft Important Public Services (Health) Regulations 2017, which were laid before this House on 5 December 2016, be approved.—(Heather Wheeler.)
The Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred until Wednesday 8 January (Standing Order No. 41A).
That the draft Important Public Services (Border Security) Regulations 2017, which were laid before this House on 5 December 2016, be approved.—(Heather Wheeler.)
The Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred until Wednesday 8 January (Standing Order No. 41A).
That the draft Important Public Services (Fire) Regulations 2017, which were laid before this House on 5 December 2016, be approved.—(Heather Wheeler.)
The Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the Question being challenged, the Division was deferred until Wednesday 8 January (Standing Order No. 41A).
Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)),